Police are out in force across the metro this New Year’s Eve, trying to prevent end-of-the-year tragedies. This is one of those nights when people tend to drink a little more than usual and many of them end up behind the wheel.

Before the countdown to the New Year begins, several local businesses count on one last rush of 2014. Grocery and liquor stores count New Year’s Eve as one of the busiest days of the year and holiday season.

Not everyone can stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve. So, a special ball drop was held for them earlier today. Kids and families got the fun started a little earlier Wednesday at Como Zoo in St. Paul. The zoo held a countdown to 12. Twelve noon, that is.

Celebrating the new year traditionally happens with a bang. Whether it’s the pop of the champagne cork or the boom of fireworks, a new beginning is something to celebrate. After years of less-than-satisfactory celebrations, I now prefer to celebrate with a small group of friends at dinner.

Forecasters say bitter cold temperatures will greet New Year’s revelers venturing outdoors. A wind chill advisory is in effect for all of central and southern Minnesota and west central Wisconsin through 10 a.m. Wednesday.

If you don’t have a dinner reservation yet for New Year’s Eve, you still have a chance to grab an open table. WCCO’s Lauren Casey stopped by Borough in Minneapolis’ North Loop to get the New Year’s Eve dining details.

Millions of Americans are busy writing up their New Year’s resolutions for 2015. According to a U.S. government survey, the top resolutions this year are to lose weight, get organized and spend less money.

Wednesday is New Year’s Eve, so you know what that means! The champagne toast! But this year, why not step out of your comfort zone and try something different? Jason DeRusha visited World Class Wines and found easy ways to find the perfect bubbly, some even without breaking the bank!

Lizz Winstead is back in Minnesota! The Minnesota comedian is here to host two performances of her special year in review show. ‘Plan B from Outer Space’ goes on Saturday evening at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.

New reports say a Minnesota woman who drowned after her car plunged down a 40-foot embankment and crashed through ice in Wisconsin was legally drunk at the time. A La Crosse Tribune report says 21-year-old Ellen “Ellie” Ahmann of Winona, Minn., had just left the downtown tavern where she was tending bar on New Year’s Eve. Police reports obtained through an open-records request say her blood-alcohol level was 0.16 percent, or twice the legal limit.

Minnesota law enforcement officials say people planning to head out on New Year’s Eve should also be thinking about that sober ride home. The Department of Public Safety says extra patrols of state troopers and other law enforcers will be on the lookout for drunken drivers Tuesday night.

Don’t have your plans set yet to ring in 2014? We’ve found some fun ways to celebrate the end of 2013 and a fresh start in 2014. Here are some great events for all ages you can still drop in on today and tonight.

Doctors fear a cold New Year’s Eve can create big problems for party goers. Dr. Ryan Fey from the Hennepin County Medical Center says frostbite can strike within minutes. “In extreme cold, you could be looking at frostbite in two to five minutes,” Fey said. People trying to ring in the new year with a few libations can get in to big trouble if they mix it with the extreme cold.

The last songs are about to be played at The Artists’ Quarter in downtown St. Paul. The underground jazz club closes New Year’s Eve with a performance by torch singer Carole Martin. The Artists’ Quarter is located in the basement of the Historic Hamm Building.